I Look To You

Today, I would agree with almost everything said in the first public review on the album page by J. Baker: I Look To You or copy and paste [...] Interestingly, I would have agreed completely on September 1st, 2009, especially concerning his feelings about Worth It and For the Lovers. However, I believe that reviewers should be careful to note that their review is an early one. For this matter, all critics, both in the media and public should take note. An album is often like a new drink: At first it takes on a flavor of unfamiliarity, uniqueness and qualities unlike any other. When most people first drink coffee or whisky, including myself, it often takes years to develop a palat for them. The same should be said about newly created music from artists, especially ones that have aged. For the first year or so that I heard Whitney's My Love Is Your Love album, I skipped 75% of the new genre she took on and went straight for the ballads. While Until You Come Back is probably now my favorite Whitney song ever, with each video released, performance of and remix made for the title track, Heartbreak Hotel, In My Business, Get It Back and If I Told You That, I grew a greater appreciation for them. Thunderpuss's remix, or transformation if you will, of It's Not Right but It's Okay remains a cultural thumbprint in 90s history. Similarly, I Look To You should be seen as an acquired taste. I would compare it to my love for coffee (I'm slowly getting there with the whisky) and of the MLIYL album. It's just months after the release of ILTY, and already I have grown a greater appreciation for Worth It and For the Lovers. The former took longer, possibly because of the large number of new mid-tempo grooves released to the public with the album. However, like cream in coffee, it rises... it just needs stirring. Larry Jackson, Co-Executive Album Producer, confirmed on his Twitter at the beginning of the month that it will be the next and third single. On the assumption Arista would release a mid-tempo after the first being a ballad and the second for the clubs, this may be disappointing to those who would prefer Call You Tonight or Like I Never Left to be next. Or even a mid-tempo dance groove like Nothing But Love, as is rumored to be the next single in Europe. But give Worth It a good second (or 20th) listen with fresh ears and you may just find yourself reaching for your lover's hand in the car. Now if she'd add some high chest voice notes to the climax like she did for the album version of LINL, we could have a real radio hit. Otherwise, I won't rehash what J. Baker said. Except to put it in other words. I Look To You ushers in Whitney's second act. As I sit here I can't find words to describe Act I. Diane Sawyer probably said it best in 2002: ethereal. Don't expect a repeat of it and you'll free yourself to enjoy a great album. Anything Beyoncé, Mariah, or Christina comes up short of Whitney's Act II. And let's hear some "second listen" reviews in the months and years to come from critics quick to put their stamp on the album last year. PS to Arista: Where's our duet with Celine? Both talents are International Treasures; we should feel almost entitled to a marriage of them in one song on one stage.

Whitney Houston is a masterful performer. She has always been known for her vocal ability to the point where her technique dominated over artistry. Well with I Look to You, the artistry shines with a mature and poignant vocal style. Of course age brings on a huskiness which she uses to good effect but she does not disappoint when required to reach higher notes. Her lower range allows her to bring depth to the songs so rather than marvel at her artistry we share the love. The songs are all joyous but not frivolous. The rhythm of "Million Dollar Bill" is infectious and gets the album off to a great start. The beats used throughout are just right so you can groove to it without feeling overpowered. A Song for You,a classic, is a surprise with the change from ballad to uptempo and ulitmately works! All the arrangements are well balanced between Whitney's strong vocals and the background elements. Even her duet with Akon "Like I Never Left" seems well suited to her strength which is to sell a song. Her voice and Akon's blend nicely despite their difference in tone. My favorite track is "I Look to You" which not only brings her an expanded lower range but is an inspiring piece by R. Kelly whether the message is directed to God or to a loved one. Most of this release does not seem too autobiographical, maybe because of her recent frank revelations about her personal life. My Love is Your Love is probably much more so, though she was not so revealing about her personal life then in 1998. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is the most personal just because she is a survivor, both in her personal and professional life. This album is clearly a labor of love and I thank her for sharing the joy. Recommended Tracks: Million Dollar Bill I Look to You A Song for You I Didn't Know My Own Strength

Fab

This album is the last one from our beautiful and talented Whitney. Several of the songs have vocal glitches that I as a vocalist caught. But, knowing the consummate professional quality and access to writers and sound engineers that she had, I am sure she left them in for effect and to "keep it real". She shines on these tracks. You can tell that she has gathered the songs she felt best represented her vocal abilities at this point in her career and life. She has some wonderful partnerships with new artists (Akon) and she also touches several genres - Imma call you tonight has a country twang, "This one's for the lovers" is nice and easy listening....I just find myself singing along more as I play this album. Each song is catchy and well written. Some are definately for the 40 and up crowd, more easy listening, but with some soul to them. I love this album and especially the ballads. She starts off with the classic "I'm singing this song for you" and I could not help but think of Bobbi Christina...it goes into a dance beat which again, I think represents her gift to her daughter...a final insightful farewell from this gifted, talented unmatched phenomenal woman. We will miss you Whitney, and we will be singing along for many, many years into the future.

As we all know, this wasn't the same Whitney who used to give us goose bumps when we heard some of her old material for the first time. She had aged & maybe hadn't taken the best care of herself for many years. However, I really do enjoy a good percentage of the songs on this album. Million Dollar Bill - a good dance song & fun to sing along with. I "love" Call You Tonight - a great beat. I Look to you - simply inspirational. A Song For You - well done cover song. I Didn't Know My Own Strength - wonderful, beautiful! I would say 6 out of 11 songs are pretty great! I was planning to purchase this album when it was originally released in 2009, but for some reason I never did. I was always a big Whitney fan since her debut in 1985 & had owned most of her albums except for Just Whitney & this one. The vocals are a bit stronger on Just Whitney, but I do think this album is better overall. There will never be another entertainer who touched us so deeply with that BODYGUARD soundtrack........I still get the chills when I hear some of those songs. Everyone makes poor decisions in life. The people who judge her should remember how hard it must be to be on the TOP OF THE WORLD at one point in his or her career & then to be at the very BOTTOM. I give her much credit, that she continued to provide us with some good music even though her voice may have not SOARED as in the past. Everyone grows old & we lost a legend at such a young age. I urge people to buy this album....give it a chance.....listen to the words.......it will grow on you & you may even LOVE it..........We will miss you Whitney........one of the BEST.......I will always love you & your exceptional music!

If you like Whitney, you'll probably like many of the songs on this CD. It's an airy but grounded mix of super sharp pop soul tunes filled with Whitney's typical gospel flourish elan. The highlights are Million Dollar Bill, Nothin But Love, Call You Tonight, A Song For You, and I Didn't Know My Own Strength. If you prefer your soul music down and dirty, your gospel shouted to the rafters, or your pop over processed and sterile, this is probably not the album for you. But if you're a fan of real singers singing about love and the travails of living, I believe this set will be a happy companion for you on many occasions: driving in rush hour traffic, on the treadmill at the gym, late at night went you need something soothing to help you relax, after a break-up, or finding new love. It's all touched on in this CD and the voice taking you on the journey happens to have a bit of mileage on it so you actually believe it. This is Whitney at her most straight forward and approachable on a polished set of good to great songs sang not only with heart, guts, soul, but also with jubilation, conviction, and passion. That's good enough for me.

I AM SO HAPPY THAT THE VOICE HAS RETURNED WITH SOME NEW MUSIC. MUSIC TODAY SUCKS!!! NOTHING BUT BEAT WITH A MEDICORE VOICE. WHITNEY HOUSTON HAS BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE ONE OF THE GREATEST SINGERS TO EVER LIVE. HER VOICE TODAY IS NOT A HIGH AS IT ONCE WAS BUT IS STILL MILES AND MILES BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE NOW. THIS WHOLE CD IS AMAZING AND EVERY SINGLE SONG COULD BE RELEASED AS SINGLES. NO FILLERS HERE PEOPLE. I HAVE A FEW FAVORITES ON IT. I LOOK TO YOU IS A AMAZING SONG WRITTEN BY R. KELLY AND SHOWS WHITNEY'S LOVE FOR GOD!!! MILLION DOLLAR BILL WRITTEN BY THE AMAZING ALICIA KEYS IS A "FEEL GOOD" SONG AND MAKES YOU WANT TO GET YOUR ASS UP AND DANCING. A SONG FOR YOU, STARTS OFF SLOW AND THEN EXPLODES INTO A GREAT FAST DANCE BEAT. (GET IT WJHITNEY). I DIDNT KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH IS A TESTIMENT OF WHITNEY HAS BEEN THROUGH AND THAT SHE HAS OVERCOME IT. (YES PEOPLE SHE DID SOME THING SO WHAT SHE IS ONLY HUMAN). AND THE LAST SONG ON THE CD IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE AND IT IS CALLED SALUTE. R. KELLY WROTE THIS ONE ALSO AND IT WILL BE A ANTHEM FOR ANY WOMEN WHO LEAVES A BAD RELATIONSHIP. ( WE ALL KNOW WHO WHITNEY IS SALUTING LOL) SALUTE BOBBY BROWN, SALUTE. ANYWAY, IF YOU BUY THIS CD YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH IT. IT IS ONE OF WHITNEY'S BEST CD EVER. SO MUCH RAW EMOTION. WHITNEY HOUSTON IS BACK AND HAPPY, HEALTHY AND DRUG FREE. EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE AND WHITNEY IS TAKING HER LIVE BACK AND MOVING FORWARD. WELL DONE WHITNEY HOUSTON AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED.

I've read a few of the reviews here some are very mature and objective and some aren't. Yes, Ms. Houston has changed her voice but she has NOT LOST it; mark my words. She can still sing better than most of the new R&B singers out there. To expect a Whitney sounding like several years ago knowing what she has been through; is unrealistic and unfair. Come on now, let's be objective and real. The reviews should be about how good or bad the CD is not about how different her voice is. Even with her voice being different she can sing extremely well, with emotions and talent. People who are ranting about this or that; are people who are not open to changes and lack objectivity. Please, be FAIR and focused on what matter which artistic value, creativity, and talent. Ms. Houston excels in all those and simply is giving us a humble yet amazing piece of work. So let's celebrate with her and enjoy her Music. And any negativity just keep it for yourself. This CD is about LOVE, Strength and Peace within oneself.